On This Day In 1995: Exactly thirty years ago, India defeated Sri Lanka in an epic final to win their fourth Asia Cup trophy. The fifth edition of the premier cricket tournament was held in the familiar grounds of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. After several intense matches, the tournament culminated in a high-octane final between two cricket powerhouses – India and Sri Lanka. The encounter eventually demonstrated India’s ability to deliver under pressure as they secured a dominant eight-wicket victory on April 14, 1995. Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin put up a Player of the Match-winning performance, scoring 90 runs in 89 deliveries. India navigated through the tournament’s round-robin format with two wins in three games to reach the Asia Cup final. They lost just one match to their arch-rivals Pakistan, a setback which served as a major learning experience for the Men in Blue. Mohammad Azharuddin’s men used the experience to deliver their best against the Sri Lanka side. Their Asian counterparts also displayed strong form throughout the tournament, setting the stage for a compelling final. On this day, the fixture began with Sri Lanka batting first during the highly-anticipated final in Sharjah. The duo of Roshan Mahanama and Sanath Jayasuriya opened the innings for the Asian powerhouse putting up an unbeaten stand of 46 runs. India’s Venkatesh Prasad found the breakthrough on the bowling front as he dismissed the legendary Jayasuriya for 22 runs. Asanka Gurusinha stepped up for his team at the crucial hour, smashing 85 runs. He hit two fours and three sixes to help Sri Lanka put up a 230-run total. The bowling duo of Anil Kumble and Prasad made the most impact for India as they scalped two wickets each. The Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar opened the chase for India alongside Manoj Prabhakar. While Tendulkar added 41 runs for India, both openers were dismissed early. Luckily for the Men in Blue, they were the only wickets India lost in the final. Navjot Singh Sidhu and his skipper Mohammad Azharuddin formed a massive partnership that guided India to victory. As the required run rate dwindled, the Indian team maintained their composure, not allowing the Sri Lankan bowlers to gain momentum. Sidhu smashed 84 runs in 106 deliveries, whereas Azharuddin added another 90 at a 101.12 strike rate. The Indian captain hit five fours and two sixes, remaining unbeaten during the chase. Mohammad Azharuddin’s stunning batting display eventually shut Sri Lanka out of the contest, helping India win the Asia Cup for the third successive time. The victory was a significant moment in Indian cricket as it showcased the depth of the squad’s batting lineup, establishing them as a formidable force in world cricket.